Downlink power control with limit to dynamic range using detection of downlink transmit power

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method is provided for dynamic range power control of a wireless downlink communication signal, such that target signal quality adjustments are held temporarily when it is apparent that transmit power control commands will not produce the desired response at the transmitting station. Comparisons of measured received signals to thresholds are performed to determine whether the transmitting station has either reached the maximum or minimum transmit power, in which case the target signal quality adjustment is controlled accordingly. When normal transmit power is detected, the target signal quality adjustments are allowed to resume as usual.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No.60/491,187, filed Jul. 30, 2003, which is incorporated by reference asif fully set forth.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention generally relates to wireless communication systems. Inparticular, the invention relates to power control in such systems.

BACKGROUND

The terms base station, wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and mobileunit are used in their general sense. As used herein, a wirelesstransmit/receive unit (WTRU) includes, but is not limited to, a userequipment, mobile station fixed or mobile subscriber unit, pager, or anyother type of device capable of operating in a wireless environment.WTRUs include personal communication devices, such as phones, videophones, and Internet ready phones that have network connections. Inaddition, WTRUs include portable personal computing devices, such asPDAs and notebook computers with wireless modems that have similarnetwork capabilities. WTRUs that are portable or can otherwise changelocation are referred to as mobile units. When referred to hereafter, abase station is a WTRU that includes, but is not limited to, a basestation, Node B, site controller, access point, or other interfacingdevice in a wireless environment.

Wireless telecommunication systems are well known in the art. In orderto provide global connectivity for wireless systems, standards have beendeveloped and are being implemented. One current standard in widespreaduse is known as Global System for Mobile Telecommunications (GSM). Thisis considered as a so-called Second Generation mobile radio systemstandard (2G) and was followed by its revision (2.5G). GPRS and EDGE areexamples of 2.5G technologies that offer relatively high speed dataservice on top of (2G) GSM networks. Each one of these standards soughtto improve upon the prior standard with additional features andenhancements. In January 1998, the European Telecommunications StandardInstitute—Special Mobile Group (ETSI SMG) agreed on a radio accessscheme for Third Generation Radio Systems called Universal MobileTelecommunications Systems (UMTS). To further implement the UMTSstandard, the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) was formed inDecember 1998. 3GPP continues to work on a common third generationalmobile radio standard.

A typical UMTS system architecture in accordance with current 3GPPspecifications is depicted in FIG. 1. The UMTS network architectureincludes a Core Network (CN) interconnected with a UMTS TerrestrialRadio Access Network (UTRAN) via an interface known as Iu which isdefined in detail in the current publicly available 3GPP specificationdocuments. The UTRAN is configured to provide wireless telecommunicationservices to users through wireless transmit receive units (WTRUs), shownas user equipments (UEs) as in 3GPP, via a radio interface known as Uu.The UTRAN has one or more radio network controllers (RNCs) and basestations, shown as Node Bs as in 3GPP, which collectively provide forthe geographic coverage for wireless communications with UEs. One ormore Node Bs is connected to each RNC via an interface known as Iub in3GPP. The UTRAN may have several groups of Node Bs connected todifferent RNCs; two are shown in the example depicted in FIG. 1. Wheremore than one RNC is provided in a UTRAN, inter-RNC communication isperformed via an Iur interface.

Communications external to the network components are performed by theNode Bs on a user level via the Uu interface and the CN on a networklevel via various CN connections to external systems.

In general, the primary function of base stations, such as Node Bs, isto provide a radio connection between the base stations' network and theWTRUs. Typically a base station emits common channel signals allowingnon-connected WTRUs to become synchronized with the base station'stiming. In 3GPP, a Node B performs the physical radio connection withthe UEs. The Node B receives signals over the Iub interface from the RNCthat control the radio signals transmitted by the Node B over the Uuinterface.

A CN is responsible for routing information to its correct destination.For example, the CN may route voice traffic from a UE that is receivedby the UMTS via one of the Node Bs to a public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN) or packet data destined for the Internet.

The RNCs generally control internal functions of the UTRAN. The RNCsalso provides intermediary services for communications having a localcomponent via a Uu interface connection with a Node B and an externalservice component via a connection between the CN and an externalsystem, for example overseas calls made from a cell phone in a domesticUMTS.

In many wireless communication systems, adaptive transmission powercontrol algorithms are used. In such systems, many communications mayshare the same radio frequency spectrum. When receiving a specificcommunication, all the other communications using the same spectrumcause interference to the specific communication. As a result,increasing the transmission power level of one communication degradesthe signal quality of all other communications within that spectrum.However, reducing the transmission power level too far results inundesirable received signal quality, such as measured by signal tointerference ratios (SIRs) at the receivers. In 3GPP W-CDMA systems,power control is used as a link adaptation method. Dynamic power controlis applied for dedicated physical channels (DPCH), such that thetransmit power of the DPCHs is adjusted to achieve a quality of service(QoS) with a minimum transmit power level, thus limiting theinterference level within the system.

One approach is to divide transmission power control into separateparallel processes, referred to as outer loop power control (OLPC) andinner loop power control (ILPC). Basically, the power level of aspecific transmitter is based on a target SIR value. In OLPC, as areceiver receives the transmissions in frame intervals, the quality ofthe received signal is measured. For a TDD signal, each frame intervalcomprises a set of time slot divisions. The transmitted information issent in units of transport blocks (TBs), and the received signal qualitycan be monitored on a block error rate (BLER) basis. The BLER isestimated by the receiver, typically by a cyclic redundancy check (CRC)of the data. This estimated BLER is compared to a target qualityrequirement, such a target BLER, representative of QoS requirements forthe various types of data services on the channel. Based on the measuredreceived signal quality, a target SIR adjustment control signal isgenerated per CCTrCH.

In 3GPP wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA) systemsutilizing time division duplex (TDD) mode, the UTRAN (SRNC-RRC) sets theinitial target SIR to the WTRU at the call/session establishment andthen subsequently continuously adjusts the target SIR of the WTRU duringthe life term of the call as dictated by the observation of the uplink(UL) BLER measurement.

In closed loop ILPC, the receiver compares a measurement of the receivedsignal quality of each DPCH, such as SIR, to a target SIR. If the SIRexceeds the threshold, a transmit power control (TPC) command todecrease the power level is sent. If the SIR is below the threshold, aTPC command to increase the power level is sent. Typically, the TPCcommand is +1 or −1 bit multiplexed with data in a dedicated channel tothe transmitter. In response to received TPC bits, the transmitterchanges its transmission power level of the DPCHs by a predefined stepsize.

However, if the base station reaches its maximum or minimum downlinkpower and is no longer able to respond to TPC commands requesting anincrease (in the case of maximum power being reached) or decrease (inthe case of minimum power being reached), the OLPC algorithm couldcontinue to increase or decrease the target SIR. Further, the basestation may not be able to respond to the TPC command bits correctly dueto poor signal quality. Eventually, the target SIR could be increased ordecreased to such an extent that recovery to the correct value wouldtake a long time, which will adversely impact the performance of thesystem.

SUMMARY

In a wireless receiver, an apparatus and method is provided for downlinktransmit power detection of a base station that limits the power controldynamic range. Transmit power control adjustments occur in step sizeincrements responsive to received signal quality measurements comparedto an adjustable target signal quality. A power control dynamic rangelimiting algorithm is performed, which sets minimum and maximumthresholds for received signal quality measurements; measures a deltapower change of received signal quality measurements for a downlinkchannel over an interval; estimates transmit power step size at thereceiver; calculates an aggregate power change based on said delta powerchange and the estimated transmit power step size; compares theaggregate power value to the minimum and maximum thresholds; and sends acontrol signal for adjustment of transmit power control. The targetsignal quality adjustments are deactivated if the aggregate power valueis within a predetermined proximity to either the maximum or minimumthresholds, and target signal quality adjustments are activated if theaggregate power value is not within said predetermined proximity toeither the maximum or minimum thresholds.

Broadly there is also disclosed a method of transmission power controlfor a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) that transmits data signalsin first and second forward channels where the WTRU is configured tomake first forward channel power adjustments as a function of targetmetrics computed by a receiving WTRU based on the data signals asreceived over the first forward channel. Preferably, the transmittingWTRU is a base station. The method preferably comprises receiving datasignals from the WTRU on the first forward channel and on the secondforward channel. Target metrics are computed for the WTRU's firstforward channel power adjustments based on the detection ofpredetermined error conditions in the signals received on the firstforward channel. A power differential is computed between data signalsreceived on the first forward channel and data signals received on thesecond forward channel. First forward channel transmission poweradjustment signals are sent to the transmitting WTRU on a reversechannel based on the computed target metrics and contingent upon thecomputed power differential. Preferably, the transmitting WTRU transmitsdata signals on dedicated and common channels so that the first forwardchannel signals are downlink dedicated channel signals and the secondforward channel signals are downlink common channel signals. In suchcase, the transmitting first forward channel transmission poweradjustment signals on a reverse channel comprises transmittingtransmission power adjustment signals for the dedicated downlink channelon an uplink channel.

The method can be implemented in a receiving wireless transmit receiveunit (WTRU) that includes a receiver configured to receive data signalsfrom a transmitting WTRU on a first forward channel and data signalsfrom the transmitting WTRU on a second forward channel. A processor isprovided that is preferably configured to compute target metrics forimplementing first forward channel transmission power adjustments in thetransmitting WTRU based on the detection of predetermined errorconditions in the data signals received on the first forward channel andto compute a power differential between data signals received on thefirst forward channel and data signals received on the second forwardchannel. A transmitter is operatively associated with the processor andconfigured to transmit first forward channel transmission poweradjustment signals on a reverse channel responsive to target metriccomputations made by said processor and contingent upon a powerdifferential computed by said processor. Preferably, the transmittingWTRU is a base station that transmits data signals on dedicated andcommon channels so that the receiver is configured to receive downlinkdata signals on a dedicated channel as the first forward channelreceived signals and to receive downlink data signals on a commonchannel as the second forward channel received signals and thetransmitter is configured to transmit transmission power adjustmentsignals for the dedicated downlink channel on an uplink channel.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentto persons skilled in the art from the following description andaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 shows an overview of the system architecture of a conventionalUMTS network.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a receiving station which performs OLPCwith limits to downlink power control dynamic range in accordance withthe present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a method flowchart for a transmit power detectionalgorithm.

FIG. 4 shows a method flowchart for estimation of ILPC step size used inthe algorithm shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Although the embodiments are described in conjunction with a thirdgeneration partnership program (3GPP) wideband code division multipleaccess (W-CDMA) system, the embodiments are applicable to any hybridcode division multiple access (CDMA)/time division multiple access(TDMA) communication system. Additionally, the embodiments areapplicable to CDMA systems, in general, such as CDMA2000, TD-SCDMA andthe proposed frequency division duplex (FDD) mode of 3GPP W-CDMA.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a WTRU 10, comprising a RRC layer 30 anda Layer 1 Control/Layer 1 entity 15, and RAKE receiver 21. WTRU 10communicates with base station 90 and receives a downlink communication85 from base station 90. Downlink communication 85 comprises dedicatedphysical channel received signal code power (DPCH RSCP), DPCH SIR, andcommon pilot channel (CPICH) RSCP, which convey downlink transmit powerinformation to WTRU 10.

RRC layer 30 comprises RRC control 31. As part of the initialconfiguration of a DL dedicated CCTrCH, the SRNC selects and transmitsto the WTRU (via RRC signaling) the DL power control-related parameters(e.g. target BLER for each TrCH).

Layer 1 Control/Layer 1 entity 15 comprises CRC check unit 11, SIRmeasurement unit 72, OLPC unit 20, ILPC unit 40, DPCH configurationcontrol unit 66, compressed mode delta SIR calculation unit 65, adder77, and power control dynamic range limiter 12. OLPC unit 20 comprisestarget SIR mapper 84 and target SIR adjustment unit 74.

CRC check unit performs an estimate of BLER on the data. The initialBLER estimate is processed by the target SIR mapper 84 to determine theproper target SIR based on the received signal quality. SIR measurementunit 72 makes real time measurement SIR of the received DPCH signal 25.The SIR measurement 82 is sent to OLPC unit 20 so that necessaryadjustments to the target SIR can be made at target SIR adjustment unit74. SIR measurement 82 is also received by the ILPC unit 40 forcomparison to the target SIR. Based on this comparison, the ILPC unit 40produces the proper TPC command 45 to request base station 90 toincrease or decrease transmit power.

The DPCH configuration control unit 66 controls the DCH quality target,such as target BLER for each TrCH, the transmission time interval (TTI),and the number of transport blocks within a TTI. Compressed mode deltaSIR calculation unit 65 determines a ΔSIR value for compressed modereceived via signaling. Since the DPCH SIR measurements in thecompressed mode are higher than the SIR measurements in the normal modeby ΔSIR, the OLPC unit 20 must increase the target SIR for ILPC unit 40by ΔSIR at adder 77.

DPCH data 25 is received from the Physical layer PHY from thetransmitting station 90 and is processed by RAKE receiver 21. CPICH RSCPmeasurement 46 from RAKE receiver 21, DPCH RSCP 47 from SIR measurementunit 72 and TPC command 45 from ILPC unit 40 are used as inputs to powercontrol dynamic range limiter 12. Power control dynamic range limiter 12is a processor that performs an algorithm for detecting whether thethree following power control problem scenarios are in effect: 1)transmit unit 90 has reached the maximum transmit power; 2) transmitunit 90 has reached the minimum transmit power; or 3) the transmit unit90 did not properly decode the TPC command 45 due to poor signal qualityin the wireless signal 95. Limiter 12 takes the RSCP 47 of the DPCH 25from SIR measurement unit 72, and calculates a ΔDPCH RSCP value for apredetermined observation interval. The TPC command 45 input ismonitored to determine the amount of power change as a result of TPCcommands 45 during the observation interval. A third input, receivedCPICH power 46, is used to determine a ΔCPICH power value during theobservation interval. Limiter 12 analyzes these inputs and performscomparisons to predetermined thresholds according to a preferredalgorithm to determine whether any of the three aforementioned powercontrol scenarios has occurred.

Based on the result of the limiter 12 algorithm, target SIR adjustmentunit 74 receives a control signal 55 to cease target SIR adjustmentsbecause any such adjustments are ineffective while the base station isexperiencing one of these problem scenarios. Further, if the target SIRadjustments were left alone, the upper or lower bounds for the targetSIR would be reached inadvertently because the OLPC unit 20 isincorrectly operating with false signal quality measurements. Forexample, if the transmit power was at its maximum, and the ILPC unit 40,based on CRC errors, determines that more transmit power is necessary tomaintain the measured SIR close to the target SIR, the OLPC unit 20 willattempt to ramp up the target SIR too severely. Since there is no chancefor the base station 90 to comply accordingly, such severe ramp upmisuses system resources, resulting in longer recovery time. By ceasingtarget SIR adjustments, the upper and lower bounds of the target SIR areaverted, which allows the target SIR in OLPC unit 20 to remain withinthe preferred operable range, away from the outer limits.

Although FIG. 2 has been described in reference to a WTRU 10communicating with a base station 90, it should be understood that thepresent invention can be utilized in an ad hoc communication system,where a second WTRU operates as base station 90.

With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an algorithm 100 performed by powercontrol dynamic range limiter 12 is illustrated. Algorithm 100determines whether the base station is responding to TPC commands bymonitoring for either maximum or minimum thresholds of downlink power.The output of algorithm 100 is a control signal to the outer-loop powercontrol indicating whether inner-loop power control has reached maximumor minimum power or is operating at normal transmit power.

Algorithm 100 begins at step 101 where the following parameters are set:an observation window length with index i,Min_power_detection_threshold_(—)1, Min_power_detection_threshold_(—)2,Max_power_detection_threshold_(—)1, Max_power_detection_threshold_(—)2,step size alpha factor alpha. The preferred default values for theseparameters are shown in Table 1. The window length and thresholdparameters are adjusted with respect to the SIR or RSCP of CPICH; theparameters are smaller for higher CPICH SIR and CPICH RSCP values. TABLE1 Parameter Default Value observation_window_length(i) 8 framesMin_power_detection_threshold_1 5 dB Min_power_detection_threshold_2 3dB Max_power_detection_threshold_1 5 dB Max_power_detection_threshold_23 dB alpha 0.8

Next in step 102, the following buffers are initialized and set to zero(0): Hold_Target_SIR, minimum power detected Min_PD, maximum powerdetected Max_PD, Delta_power(i). Buffers Hold_Target_SIR, Min_PD, andMax_PD retain logical value 0 or 1. Buffer value Delta_power(i)represents a power (dB) value for observation widow time interval indexi. Buffer Hold_Target_SIR indicates a value one (1) when either themaximum or minimum power threshold has been detected, and provides alogical control to OLPC for preventing any further adjustments to thetarget SIR. When a minimum threshold for downlink power is detected,buffer value Min_PD is set to one (Min_PD=1). Likewise, when a maximumpower is detected, value Max_PD is set to one (Max_PD=1). In step 103,the received dedicated physical channel received signal code power(DPCH_RSCP) is measured for the duration of the observation window. Instep 104, a delta value for the downlink power according to DPCH RSCP iscalculated and is shown in Equation 1:ΔDPCH _(—) RSCP(i)=DPCH _(—) RSCP(i)−DPCH _(—) RSCP(i−1)(dB)  Equation 1In a distributed power control (DPC) algorithm, power updates throughfeedback occur either every time slot, or with an integral processingdelay. For example, the delta power ΔDPCH_RSCP(i) calculated in Equation1 represents a value for when DPC mode equals zero (0), where thecalculated delta power value represents a power change for an intervalof two successive time slots. Alternatively, if DPC mode equals one (1),Equation 1 is modified to determine the delta power between the currenttime slot (i) and some predetermined previous time slot, preferably thethird previous time slot (i−3).

In step 105, downlink power is measured based on the common pilotchannel RSCP (CPICH RSCP) over the observation window. In step 106, thedelta power ΔCPICH_RSCP is calculated according to Equation 2:ΔCPICH _(—) RSCP(i)=CPICH _(—) RSCP(i)−CPICH _(—)RSCP(i−1)(dB)  Equation 2

The delta power ΔCPICH_RSCP(i) calculated in Equation 2 is based on DPCmode equals 0, where the calculated delta power value represents a powerchange for an interval of two successive time slots. For DPC mode equals1, Equation 2 is modified to calculate the delta power between thecurrent time slot (i) and a predetermined previous time slot, preferablythe third previous time slot (i−3). In step 107, the inner-loop powercontrol (ILPC) step size is determined. The estimation for ILPC stepsize will be described in further detail in reference to FIG. 4.

In step 108 of FIG. 3A, an aggregate delta power value Delta_power(i),is calculated based on delta DPCH_RSCP, delta CPICH_RSCP, andStepSize_ILPC according to Equations 3 and 4. Equation 3 is used tocalculate aggregate delta power when the base station has received a TPCcommand in the prior time slot for a transmit power increase. Equation 4is used to calculate aggregate delta power when the base station hasreceived a TPC command in the prior time slot for a transmit powerdecrease. The only difference between Equations 3 and 4 is whether thestep size of ILPC is added or subtracted from the power change values.Delta _(—) power(i)=Delta _(—) power(i−1)+ΔDPCH _(—) RSCP(i)−ΔCPICH _(—)RSCP(i)−StepSize _(—) ILPC  Equation 3Delta _(—) power(i)=Delta _(—) power(i−1)+ΔDPCH _(—) RSCP(i)−ΔCPICH _(—)RSCP(i)+StepSize _(—) ILPC  Equation 4

In step 109, algorithm 100 checks for whether Max_PD and Min_PD buffersare indicating normal transmit power by the base station. If so,algorithm 100 continues to step 111, where value Delta_power(i) isexamined for whether the maximum power is detected, by comparing valueDelta_power(i) to Max_power_detection_threshold_(—)1 factored withStepSize_ILPC as shown in Equation 5:Delta _(—) power(i)<−Max_(—) power _(—) detection _(—) threshold_(—)1*StepSize _(—) ILPC  Equation 5If value Delta_power(i) is less than the threshold according to Equation5, the maximum power has been detected and buffer value Max_PD is set toone (Max_PD=1) and value Hold_Target_SIR is set to one (1), as shown instep 112. If the maximum power has not been detected according to step111, a comparison is made against the minimum power detection thresholdMin_power_detection_threshold_(—)1 according to step 113, according toEquation 6:Delta _(—) power(i)>Min_(—) power _(—) detection _(—) threshold_(—)1*StepSize _(—) ILPC  Equation 6If in step 113, value Delta_power(i) is greater than the product ofMin_power_detection_threshold_(—)1 and StepSize_ILPC, then the minimumpower is detected. In step 114 when the minimum power is detected,buffers Min_PD and Hold_Target_SIR are set to one (1). If neitherminimum nor maximum power detection occurs in steps 111, 113, theobservation window index is incremented at step 115, and algorithm 100returns to step 103 and continues from there. If either the maximum orminimum downlink power is detected at steps 112 or 114, the change inbuffer states Max_PD, Min_PD, and Hold_Target_SIR are sent to OLPC unit20 so that the target SIR can be held at its present value.

The remaining steps of algorithm 100 shown in FIG. 3B are for detectingwhether the downlink transmit power has returned to normal. Returning tostep 109, if neither buffer states Max_PD nor Min_PD are currently equalto zero, steps 116 and 119 are used to determine which of these buffersMax_PD, Min_PD contain a value equal to one (1). At step 116, bufferMax_PD is checked for whether the maximum downlink power has beendetected (Max_PD=1). If so, the process proceeds to step 117 where valueDelta_power(i) is compared against the product of theMax_power_detection_threshold_(—)2 and step size ILPC as shown inEquation 7.Delta _(—) power(i)>−Max_(—) power _(—) detection _(—) threshold_(—)2*StepSize _(—) ILPC  Equation 7If the result of the comparison is true, then a normal transmit powerhas been detected, and buffer value Max_PD is reset to zero (0), whichreleases the hold on the target SIR for outer-loop power control (step118).

If the comparison of step 117 is not true, then step 119 commences forchecking whether a minimum downlink power detection has occurred(Min_PD=1). If current state of the transmit power is at minimum powerdetection, then value Delta_power(i) is compared toMin_power_detection_threshold_(—)2 as shown in Equation 8 (step 120).Delta _(—) power(i)<Min_(—) power _(—) detection _(—) threshold_(—)2*StepSize _(—) ILPC  Equation 8If the result of the Equation 8 comparison is true, then normal transmitpower is detected and buffer value Min_PD is reset to zero (0), whichreleases the hold on target SIR for outer-loop power control (step 121).If however, the result of step 120 is not true, then the observationwindow index is incremented at step 115, and algorithm 100 repeatsbeginning at step 103 for the remainder of the observation window. Ifthe observation widow index (i) has reached the final value forobservation window length, and steps 111, 113, 117 or 120 have failed todetect either minimum power, maximum power or normal transmit power,then value Delta_power(i) is reset to 0 and initialized for a newobservation window.

In an alternative embodiment, downlink power detection is measured usingthe difference of SIR measurements (dB) between adjacent time slots forboth the downlink DPCH and the CPICH instead of the RSCP measurementvalues. Since the SIR value is proportional to the ratio ofRSCP/interference (i.e., the SIR varies with interference power), theRSCP value is preferred for downlink power detection in algorithm 100.Under the alternative approach, the calculation of aggregate power valueDelta_Power(i) reduces to the following Equation 9 in the case when thetransmit power is not at the minimum or maximum level: $\begin{matrix}\begin{matrix}{{{Delta\_ power}(i)} = \left\lbrack {{{Delta\_ power}\left( {i - 1} \right)} +} \right.} \\{{\Delta\quad{DPCH\_ SIR}(i)} - {\Delta\quad{CPICH\_ SIR}(i)} -} \\\left. {\left( {{TPC}\left( {i - 1} \right)} \right)({StepSize\_ ILPC})} \right\rbrack \\{= \left\lbrack {{{Delta\_ power}\left( {i - 1} \right)} +} \right.} \\\left. {\left( {{TPC}\left( {i - 1} \right)} \right)({StepSize\_ ILPC})} \right\rbrack\end{matrix} & {{Equation}\quad 9}\end{matrix}$where TPC command value TPC equals positive or negative one (TPC=1, −1).

FIG. 4 shows algorithm 200 for determining the inter-loop power controlstep size used in algorithm 100. At step 201, a set of k pre-determinedactual ILPC step sizes [S1, S2, . . . , Sk dB] are established.Preferably, the set of ILPC step sizes are [0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 dB].Although these are the preferred values for the set of ILPC step sizes,the set may comprise more than four values, and the values may bedifferent than these presented. In step 202, a temporary ILPC step sizeis set according to Equation 10.Temp _(—) StepSize _(—) |LPC=Delta _(—)power(i)|/observation_window_length  Equation 10

In step 203, the estimate of the ILPC step size for the current timeslot is calculated using Equation 11, where the estimate is based on theestimate of the prior time slot, the step size alpha factor alpha, andthe temporary ILPC step size Temp_StepSize_ILPC from step 202.StepSize _(—) ILPC(i)=(alpha)(StepSize _(—) ILPC(i))+(1−alpha)(Temp _(—)StepSize _(—) ILPC)  Equation 11

The alpha factor numerically represents updating the new estimatethrough a single pole low pass filter. Next, in step 204, the differencebetween the temporary ILPC step size Temp_StepSize_ILPC and the estimateof ILPC step size StepSize_ILPC(i) is compared to a threshold of 0.25.If the difference is less than 0.25, then the estimate of ILPC step sizeStepSize ILPC(i) is considered satisfactory (step 205). If, however, thedifference is greater than or equal to 0.25, then the estimate of ILPCstep size is compared in step 206 to each of the possible ILPC stepsizes in the set established in step 201. The comparison delta valueDelta_StepSize for step 206 is calculated for k trials using Equation12:Delta _(—) StepSize=|Temp _(—) StepSize _(—) ILPC−Value _(—)StepSize(k)|  Equation 12where k is an integer value representing the number of possible ILPCstep sizes, and Value_StepSize(k) is a possible ILPC step size.

Once the comparison of the estimate of ILPC step size is made to each ofK possible ILPC step sizes of the set, the final estimate of ILPC stepsize(i) is set to the closest possible value within the value set (step207).

Once either a minimum transmit power is detected or a maximum transmitpower is detected, its status will be kept until the normal transmitpower is detected in detection algorithm 100.

1. In a wireless receiver, a method for downlink transmit powerdetection of a base station that limits the power control dynamic range,where transmit power control adjustments occur in step size incrementsresponsive to received signal quality measurements compared to anadjustable target signal quality, the method comprising the steps: a)setting minimum and maximum thresholds for received signal qualitymeasurements; b) measuring a delta power change of received signalquality measurements for a downlink channel over a first interval; c)estimating transmit power step size at the receiver; d) calculating anaggregate power change based on said delta power change and theestimated transmit power step size; e) comparing the aggregate powervalue to the minimum and maximum thresholds; and f) sending a controlsignal for adjustment of transmit power control, where target signalquality adjustments are deactivated if the aggregate power value iswithin a predetermined proximity to either the maximum or minimumthresholds, and target signal quality adjustments are activated if theaggregate power value is not within said predetermined proximity toeither the maximum or minimum thresholds; and g) repeating steps (a)through (f) over successive intervals.
 2. The method of claim 1 whereinthe transmit power step sizes adjusted at the base station arepredetermined as an actual set of k possible sizes, and step (c) furthercomprises: calculating a temporary transmit power step size as the ratioof the aggregate power value and observation window size; comparing thetemporary transmit power step size to each of k possible step sizes andusing the closest possible step size as the estimated transmit powerstep size.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) further comprises:calculating a temporary step size as the ratio of the aggregate powervalue and observation window size; measuring the difference betweenestimated transmit power step size and the temporary step size; andusing the estimated transmit power step size if the measured differenceis less than a predetermined value.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein theestimating in step (c) is calculated as the estimate of the transmitstep size of the prior increment factored by a predetermined factoralpha plus the temporary step size factored by (1-alpha).
 5. The methodof claim 1 wherein the downlink channel comprises a dedicated physicalchannel (DPCH) and a common pilot channel (CPICH), the received signalquality measurements include a received signal code power (RSCP) of theDPCH and CPICH, and the adjustable signal target quality is a targetsignal to interference ratio (SIR).
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein themeasuring of step (b) includes determining a delta power change of theDPCH (ΔDPCH_RSCP) and a delta power change of the CPICH (ΔCPICH_RSCP),and the calculating of step (d) is based on (ΔDPCH_RSCP-ACPICH_RSCP)plus or minus the transmit step size estimate of step (c).
 7. The methodof claim 1 wherein the downlink channel comprises a dedicated physicalchannel (DPCH) and a common pilot channel (CPICH), the received signalquality measurements include a signal to interference ratio (SIR) of theDPCH and of the CPICH, and the adjustable signal target quality is atarget SIR.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the measuring of step (b)includes determining a delta power change of the DPCH (ΔDPCH_SIR) and adelta power change of the CPICH (ΔCPICH_SIR), and the calculating ofstep (d) is based on (ΔDPCH_SIR-ΔCPICH_SIR) plus or minus the transmitstep size estimate of step (c).
 9. A wireless receiver that performsdownlink transmit power detection of a base station, where transmitpower control adjustments occur in step size increments responsive toreceived signal quality measurements compared to an adjustable targetsignal quality, the receiver comprising: a RAKE receiver for detecting areceived wireless signal and determining signal quality parameters; asignal to interference (SIR) measurement device configured to determineSIR and signal quality values based on the signal quality parametersfrom the RAKE receiver; an inner loop power control device fordetermining a transmit power control command for the base station toincrease or decrease transmit power; an outer loop power control devicefor calculating the adjustable target signal quality; and a dynamicrange limiting device configured to control the outer loop power controldevice based on whether the base station has reached the maximum orminimum transmit power or whether the base station did not properlydecode the transmit power control command due to poor signal quality.10. The wireless receiver of claim 9, wherein the dynamic range limitingdevice is further configured to set minimum and maximum thresholds forreceived signal quality measurements; measure a delta power change ofreceived signal quality measurements for a downlink channel over a firstinterval; estimate transmit power step size; calculate an aggregatepower change based on said delta power change and the estimated transmitpower step size; compare the aggregate power value to the minimum andmaximum thresholds; and send a control signal for adjustment of transmitpower control; where target signal quality adjustments are deactivatedif the aggregate power value is within a predetermined proximity toeither the maximum or minimum thresholds, and target signal qualityadjustments are activated if the aggregate power value is not withinsaid predetermined proximity to either the maximum or minimumthresholds.
 11. The receiver of claim 10 wherein the downlink channelcomprises a dedicated physical channel (DPCH) and a common pilot channel(CPICH), the received signal quality measurements include a receivedsignal code power (RSCP) of the DPCH and CPICH, and the adjustablesignal target quality is a target signal to interference ratio (SIR).12. The receiver of claim 11 wherein the measuring of a delta powerchange of received signal quality measurements includes determining adelta power change of the DPCH (ΔDPCH_RSCP) and a delta power change ofthe CPICH (ΔCPICH_RSCP), and the calculating of the aggregate powervalue is based on (ΔDPCH_RSCP-ΔCPICH_RSCP) plus or minus the transmitpower step size estimate.
 13. The receiver of claim 10 wherein thedownlink channel comprises a dedicated physical channel (DPCH) and acommon pilot channel (CPICH), the received signal quality measurementsinclude a signal to interference ratio (SIR) of the DPCH and of theCPICH, and the adjustable signal target quality is a target SIR.
 14. Thereceiver of claim 13 wherein the measuring of a delta power change ofreceived signal quality measurements includes determining a delta powerchange of the DPCH (ΔDPCH_SIR) and a delta power change of the CPICH(ΔCPICH_SIR), and the calculating of the aggregate power value is basedon (ΔDPCH_RSCP-ΔCPICH_RSCP) plus or minus the transmit power step sizeestimate.
 15. A method of transmission power control of a transmittingwireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) that transmits data signals infirst and second forward channels where the transmitting WTRU isconfigured to make first forward channel power adjustments as a functionof target metrics computed at a receiving WTRU based on the data signalsas received over the first forward channel, the method comprising:receiving data signals from the transmitting WTRU on the first forwardchannel; receiving data signals from the transmitting WTRU on the secondforward channel; computing a power differential between data signalsreceived on the first forward channel and data signals received on thesecond forward channel; computing target metrics for the transmittingWTRU's first forward channel power adjustments based on the computedpower differential; and sending first forward channel transmission poweradjustment signals to the transmitting WTRU on a reverse channeltransmission based on the computed target metrics and contingent uponthe computed power differential.
 16. The method of claim 15 where thetransmitting WTRU transmits data signals on dedicated and commonchannels wherein: the receiving data signals on the first forwardchannel comprises receiving downlink data signals on a dedicatedchannel; the receiving data signals on the second forward channelcomprises receiving downlink data signals on a common channel; and thetransmitting first forward channel transmission power adjustment signalson a reverse channel comprises transmitting transmission poweradjustment signals for the dedicated downlink channel on an uplinkchannel.
 17. The method of claim 15 where the sending the first forwardchannel transmission power adjustment signals is contingent on thecomputed power differential is within a predetermined proximity toeither a predetermined maximum or predetermined minimum threshold. 18.The method of claim 17 further comprising estimation of a transmit powercontrol step size at the receiving WTRU and using the step sizeestimation when computing the power differential.
 19. A receivingwireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) for implementing transmissionpower control for a transmitting WTRU that transmits data signals infirst and second forward channels where the transmitting WTRU isconfigured to make first forward channel transmission power adjustmentsas a function of target metrics computed by the receiving WTRU, thereceiving WTRU comprising: a receiver configured to receive data signalsfrom a transmitting WTRU on a first forward channel and data signalsfrom the transmitting WTRU on a second forward channel; a processorconfigured to compute target metrics for implementing first forwardchannel transmission power adjustments in the transmitting WTRU based onthe detection of predetermined error conditions in the data signalsreceived on the first forward channel; said processor configured tocompute a power differential between data signals received on the firstforward channel and data signals received on the second forward channel;and a transmitter operatively associated with said processor andconfigured to transmit first forward channel transmission poweradjustment signals on a reverse channel responsive to target metriccomputations made by said processor and contingent upon a powerdifferential computed by said processor.
 20. The WTRU of claim 19 wherethe transmitting WTRU is a base station that transmits data signals ondedicated and common channels wherein: the receiver is configured toreceive downlink data signals on a dedicated channel as the firstforward channel received signals and to receive downlink data signals ona common channel as the second forward channel received signals; and thetransmitter of the receiving WTRU is configured to transmit transmissionpower adjustment signals for the dedicated downlink channel on an uplinkchannel.